Mercy And Justice In Shakespeare's Time.

It becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown,—
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings,—
But mercy is above this sceptred sway.

—The Merchant of Venice,
Act IV, Scene 1.


It is twice blessed because it makes you feel good about yourself and makes you better to others. And it becomes the thronèd monarch better than his crown. Because people in Shakespeare's time thought power was the most attractive part of being a ruler. But Shakespeare pointed out that it is really mercy.


Is Caesar remembered for conquests? What about Napoleon? Or Elizabeth II? It is mercy that they are always remembered for.

 

Huh? What mercy did they provide?
I musta missed something.

I remember Caesar for his salad,
Napoleon for his brandy,
And QEll for that big cruise ship.

 

During WW2, My late father remembered her in the workshop rebuilding the engine for a London ambulance.

 

Shakespeare said it, I didn't.